There’s no sound that says “Christmas” more than the singing of a choir.
Local choral music fans have an abundance of riches to choose from this holiday season, with a number of upcoming choral gems to take in.
Here’s what’s in store for New West audiences:
AMABILIS SINGERS
This local 60-voice choir takes to the stage on Saturday, Dec. 10 for Christmas At Home, with a program of music that celebrates the magic of the season.
Audiences will hear sparkling classical works by Vivaldi and Handel, alongside new arrangements of some familiar Christmas songs – Sandra Peter’s reworking of Silent Night and Stacey Gibbs’ arrangement of Go Tell It On the Mountain, among others.
Less familiar seasonal work, such as Connor Koppin’s There is No Rose and Will Todd’s My Lord Has Come, will also round out the program.
And, of course, come with your singing voice to take part in sing-alongs, and bring some cash for a Christmas raffle.
The choir is directed by Ramona Luengen and accompanied by pianist Ingrid Verseveldt.
The concert is at 2 p.m. at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave., Burnaby. Tickets are $20 regular, or free for children under 12. You can buy at the door or call 604-503-2074.
See www.amabilissingers.org for details.
MUSICA INTIMA
The Juno Award-nominated vocal ensemble brings its Joy to the World! concert to New Westminster for a performance on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
The traditional Christmas concert features organist and alumni founding member Michael Murray, as well as ensemble member Katherine Evans on trumpet for some of the pieces.
Audiences can enjoy Canadian Christmas pieces by Owen Underhill, Healey Willan and Matthew Emery, plus compositions for ensemble and organ by Patrick Hadley and William Mathias.
And, of course, audience members can partake in some joyful sing-alongs of such favourites as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful and Joy To the World.
The choir performs at Olivet Baptist Church at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 regular, $25 seniors or $15 for students. See www.musicaintima.org.
(Note: If you can’t make the local date, the concert is also happening Dec. 16 at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Vancouver, and Dec. 17 at St. Philip’s Anglican Church in Dunbar.)
VANCOUVER CANTATA SINGERS
The national award-winning choir comes to New Westminster with its popular annual Christmas Reprise.
Always a seasonal favourite on the Vancouver choral scene, the choir promises a performance that evokes the “true warmth and pure magic of the holiday season, offering a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the season, bringing you an oasis of pure Christmas spirit.”
The choir performs at Holy Rosary Cathedral in downtown Vancouver on Dec. 17, and then brings the show to the Anvil Centre Theatre in New Westminster for an evening performance at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21.
The singers are led by artistic director Paula Kremer.
Tickets are $30, or $20 for students, $10 for children and youth (16 and under). See www.ticketsnw.ca to buy or call 604-521-5050.
See www.vancouvercantatasingers.com for details.
